Mass. Senate supports federal TSCA reform

Posted on Oct 12, 2011

Yesterday the Massachusetts Senate took a stand for our health by urging Congress to reform the outdated Toxic Substances Control Act.

At the urging of Senator Steven Tolman (D-Brighton), the Senate adopted a resolution, "Memorializing the Congress of United States to support legislation that reforms the federal Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976." California and Illinois passed similar resolutions earlier this year.

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), passed in 1976 under President Gerald Ford, is our nation’s main law aimed at regulating chemicals used in everyday products. It is out of date and ineffective at protecting the public from chemicals that have been linked to cancer, learning disabilities, asthma, reproductive problems, and other serious diseases.

The Alliance for a Heatlhy Tomorrow, working with our national partners in the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition, is calling for an overhaul of TSCA based on the law’s inability to protect the health of the American public from exposure to harmful chemicals. By updating TSCA, Congress can create the foundation for a sound and comprehensive chemicals policy that protects public health and the environment, while restoring the luster of safety to U.S. goods in the world market. For more informationa about TSCA, its shortcomings, and the efforts to reform it, visit the Safer Chemicals Health Families website.

This is most likely Senator Tolman's final act as a State Senator towards protecting our health from toxic chemicals after nearly a decade of leadership as lead sponsor of the Safer Alternatives Bill. Tolman is expected to step down from the Senate this month to become President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO.